The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-03-10
JAMES ROSS.

1t has been suggested by Mr.. Noble, of Colum-
bus, and several citizens OF Chillicothe that
some effort be made to get u portrait Of James
Ross by the county which was named for
him.
james Ross was born in York County, ,Pa..i in
1862. He was educated at Pequa by the Rev. DR..
Robert Smith, and studied law under John d.
Coke. G learned Judge, of Philadelphia. In his
professional career there were two incidents
that gave Mr.. Ross distinction. The first was
his voluntary interference in behalf OF some ne
groes, whose claims to freedom he advocated
with such forceful cloquence that the liberty Of
his black clients was secured. For his success
in this case he received o vote OF thanks from
the "Abolition Society,"" .ff-r t
The other circumstances Of note was his ap-
pointmcnt by the Legislature rs one Of the
counsel Of the State to support its claims
to the Springetsburg manor, in the circuit
court of the United States. This was task
which required the highest cxertions Of the
mind; aud he accomplished 1t in most crcdita-
BILE way.
In the debates in the convention which framed
the constitution, in 1sS0 he took active part,
and though he was opposed by some Of the
ablest men Of the day. his record in that body
was a particularly fine one. The last distin-
guished public service that James Ross render
ed his country was as member Of Congress,
when he bore u leading part in the debate over
the acquisition OF Louisiana.
States we claimed the right to the free use OF
the Mississippi river, and to place Of deposit
near New Orleans for cargoes.
by The treaty Of peace England ceded, In
1TS3, q concurrent right to the navigation of the
river to the United States; and by the Spanish
treaty, which Thomas Pinckney had negotiated
it was egrecd that this country and Spain should
enjoy the right to the Mississippi river to the
exclusion Of Great Britain. But In 18O! right:
on the river were openly and rudely violated BY
Spain, md the country was intensely excited
over tho matter. Tho people of Kentucky, Ohio
and the so-called Mississippi territory, consid
ering their very existence ut stake, were MOI
willing to wait for President Jefferson to nego
tiatea treaty. It was felt in the West that tn
new States had been abandoned by the Gencra
Government, und there was powerful senti
ment that demanded an appeal to arms.
Senator James Ross crystalixed and express
ed this war feeling In the Senate Of the Unitet
States. He wanted the President to take pos
session Of New Orleans and to dispatch troop
there ut once. He made o number Of stroni
speeches, and in replying TO Mr. Clinton, Of New
York, who was arguing that Washington's ad
ministration advocated peace policy, he said
1.-THE name of Washington Is introduced to 81
lencc oil future dispute on this question. Sir
! reverence the authority Of that great man
official conduct. He was the father of his couu
try, the terror OF his enemies, and the 0rnamen
OF human nature. He u now gone to- mix Wit
the heroes and sagcs OF other times ana nation
in o happier world; but It was easily foresee
that those who seldom agreed with him In his liz
would be the first after his death, to fly 70
shelter to his example when overtaken by cs
lainity or misfortune"
In the same speech, referring to Washington
action respecting the schcmiug French Minister
Genet, he said: 'The French Minister increa!
ed In activity and boldness Of enterprise. Fl
set the President at defiance and threatened o
appeal to the people. At that awful crisis Wnsl
fngton came forward. Noses like, and put hin
self in the gap between the pestilence and th
people"
Mr.. Ross was not able TO accomplish his pu
pose. War was not declared, and the whOl
matter was finally settled by tho purchase
Louisiana. In l,99 and in lsOs Ar. Ross was
candidate for the ONCE OF Governor OF PEN
syivania, and 1t was owing TO his great prom
ncncc in the East that Ross County was name
in his honor by Its early citizens, many OF who
came from Pennsylvania. Yea
Much of the interesting history Of Chill
Gothic and Of the Scioto Valley has never bee
committed to print, and must be gathered fro
the lips OF those who have witnessed the ha
penings of which they speak or who have h,
the stories from competent sources. There
no one In Chillicothe who has richer fund
"Reminiscences than DR.. Waddle, one Of the olde
practicing physicians In the State.